Rutgers takes down CSU Bakersfield

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The Rutgers wrestling squad used a strong start to down CSU Bakersfield, 29-9, in Bakersfield, Calif., Thursday night. The Scarlet Knights picked up victories in their first five bouts to jump out to a 17-0 lead and wouldn't look back.

Rutgers won eight of 10 bouts against the Roadrunners, including wins for bonus points by seniors Dan Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.) and Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.), as well as junior Dan Seidenberg (Red Bank, N.J.). Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Scott Goodale, senior Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) notched a win over a ranked opponent.

The Scarlet Knights improved to 8-1 on the season, including a 2-0 mark in the EIWA. The Roadrunners dropped to 4-2, still holding a conference mark of 0-1 in the PAC 12.

The match started at the 174-pound mark, with senior Greg Zannetti (Edison, N.J) picking up a 7-1 decision over CSU Bakersfield's Andrew Balch. Rutgers then rattled off two bonus points wins as Rinaldi defeated Reuben Franklin, 12-2, at 184 and Seidenberg earned the 8-0 major over Frankie Hurtado at 197.

Senior Joe Langel (Howell, N.J.) picked up a hard-fought overtime decision over Tyler Iwamura at 125 pounds. After CSU Bakersfield picked up its first victory of the contest at 133, 141-pounder Melde notched a big decision, 15-8, over No. 20 Timmy Box of Bakersfield to improve to 11-4 on the season.

Two bouts later, 157-pounder Winston improved to 16-4 this season as he tallied his third fall of the campaign, pinning Runner Adam Fierro at the 1:35 mark of the opening period. His last came over James Vollrath of Penn State at the Nittany Lion Open.

Rutgers continues its West Coast trek, taking part in the Stanford Duals on Sunday, Jan. 6, beginning at 5 p.m. ET. The Scarlet Knights are slated to face Arizona State and Stanford inside Burnham Pavilion in Palo Alto, Calif.

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